Jun Ariolo N. Aguirre
Kalibo, Aklan- Contrary to the perceptions of others, bird watching is safe from contracting the dreaded avian influenze or bird flu virus according to the new reports released by the Birding Asia- a journal of conservationists in Asian region.
In an e-mail interview, German conservationist Professor Eberhard Curio project coordinator of the Philippine Endangered Species and Conservation Project (PESCP) based in Pandan, Antique said that the Birding Asia does not discouraged everyone to hold bird-watching activities as soon as one is healthy and has a common sense.
“However, the Birding Asia provided instructions on how one can avoid bird flu virus during bird-watching activities such as sites of known H5N1 (code for bird flu virus) sites should be avoided, avoid touching the wild birds, wash hands before and after any contacts with animals, avoid dead animals in the area, among others. This simple precaution will minimize the risk from other, commoner infections as well as avian flu,” Curio quoting the Birding Asia report said.
In the Philippines, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources have reported that there were no identified sites yet of positive bird flu infections.
According to the report of Birding Asia, most of those who suffer avian flu infections came from poultry usually spread by the wild birds through nasal secretions and faeces. In nearly all cases in humans the infection from close and prolonged contact with infected poultry.
Because of these encouraging reports of Birding Asia, the PESCP is studying the possibility of introducing bird-watching attractions in Panay to promote the conservation of the writhed-billed hornbills (locally known as Dulungan) considered as the second most critically endangered hornbill in the world.
“These things are currently being carefully studied by PESCP Veterinary Consultant Dr. Enrique Sanchez in Pandan, Antique,” he said.
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